Heidi's Reviews > Radiant

Three Stars: A short novella that gives more insight into Angela.

Angela and Clara are spending the summer in Italy. For Clara, it is a chance to get away from Tucker and Christian and her grief. Angela returns to spend the summer with her Italian family, but she longs to see the one man who set her heart a fire two summers ago. Except the one who has her heart isn't a man, he is an angel and he ended up breaking her heart. Paths led back to Phen and Angela finds herself once again enamored with the forbidden love, despite all of her mother's teachings she has fallen head over heels in love. Clara meets this mysterious lover and all of her instincts are screaming that he is not good for Angela. Will Angela's romantic choice spell treachery for their friendship?

What I Liked:

I am a big fan of the Unearthly Series and I was excited to get a little teaser before the finale Unbounded releases at the end of January. This novella is a quick read and it provides some helpful insight into Angela's character and also gives a little more information on angel lore.
I have always been curious about Angela and I have had my theories regarding her character.... bottom line, I have never trusted her and I don't think all of her motives are good, and this book helped me solidify my views.
At the end of this book there is a brief sneak peek for Unbounded and I a more than excited to read that book!
And The Not So Much:

The problem I have with novellas is that I never feel like they are enough. This was a very quick read. A total of 80 pages and I read it in less than an hour. It always feels like the story is just getting started and then it ends. This is the case with this novella. Just as the story line is picking up it finishes with a jarring line that leaves me troubled over the impending events in Unbounded.
I am used to Clara's voice and while this book had a dual narrative between Clara and Angela, I felt like I gained nothing from Clara's perspective except her feelings regarding Angela's boyfriend. She is still very troubled over her love life and her loss but there is very little discussion on either topic. I was hoping for more from her.
While I gained some information regarding Angela, this novella did nothing to change my view on her character for the better. I still do not think she is a good influence on Clara and I think she will ultimately betray her.
If you are a fan of The Unearthly Series you should check this out so you will know the backstory regarding Angela's love affair in Italy, but I can't promise you that you will finish it and be satisfied. There is a sneak peek for Unbounded that will make you eager for its release, but don't expect Clara to have a big role in this one. I am glad I read it, but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed because I wanted more.

Favorite Quotations:
“My mother always says that love is like a snakebite, a venom slowly spreading through your veins”

“I knew the moment I saw him that he was the one I was waiting for. The one whose kiss would make me see stars.

Someone remarkable.”

“He was gazing at me like I was a butterfly trapped in his net, like he was tempted to pin me up behind glass even though he knew he should let me fly away.”

Posted@ Rainy Day Ramblings